Debunking 3 Myths About The 2025 HVAC Refrigerant Change

2025 HVAC Refrigerant Change: What Will It Mean For Lawton, OK HVAC Maintenance?

Here’s How This Shake Up In The Industry
Might Or Might Not Affect Your Home

If you’ve been staying informed on HVAC maintenance in Lawton, OK, you may have heard some confusing news. The upcoming 2025 HVAC refrigerant change is making some real waves in the industry. But at Robinson Air, we’re debunking some myths and clarifying the law so you know what to expect!

What Is The 2025 HVAC System Refrigerant Change?

A big change in HVAC technology is in the works, thanks to a new law. The U.S. is phasing out the most common refrigerant in HVAC systems in favor of more environmentally friendly ones.

That means replacing a refrigerant called R-410A with two new options, R-32 and R-454B.

Starting on January 1st, 2025, all new HVAC units will legally have to be designed and manufactured to use these new refrigerants. The old refrigerant will still be produced for use with older machines, but no new machines using R-410A will be made.

Myths And Misconceptions About 2025 HVAC Units

This change is pretty big news here in the HVAC industry, but it’s caused concern for some homeowners who’ve gotten wind of it. We’ve even heard some things that just aren’t true, so we wanted to clear things up.

Myth #1: You’ll Need To Replace Your Current System

When a big change like this happens, homeowners often worry they’ll need to replace their HVAC system immediately. Luckily, that’s not the case.

Starting in 2025, any new systems will be manufactured with R-32 or R-454B. Old systems, though, will still be perfectly legal to own, run, and service.

HVAC maintenance will still be possible for a long while, too. HVAC service companies like Robinson Air will still have the old refrigerants in stock to service older systems. Over time, these refrigerants may become hard to find or more expensive, but you likely won’t need to switch systems until your current one wears out.

Myth #2: The New Refrigerants Pose A Fire Risk

There’s been a bit of panic about the flammability of the new refrigerants, but don’t worry – it’s really not the issue people think it is.

Yes, the new refrigerants are more flammable. But that’s because the old ones weren’t flammable at all. The new ones are classified as “mildly flammable,” but they’re still incredibly unlikely to catch fire. And if used properly, there’s no more risk than with previous refrigerants.

Additionally, most units using the new refrigerants will have added sensors and fail-safes, just in case a major mistake by a bad HVAC technician causes a leak.

And these mistakes have little chance of happening in the first place if Robinson Air is the one servicing your system.

Myth #3: The New Systems Won’t Work As Well

Some people think these new systems will be worse or less efficient than the old ones. This isn’t true, either. The new refrigerants are completely comparable to the old ones in terms of efficiency.

Why weren’t systems using them before, then? This is a common question. The answer is simple: the older refrigerant was just more cost-effective. Recent pushes towards more environmentally-friendly ways to keep homes cool sparked change, though, and R-32 or R-454B will be used in every HVAC unit from here on out.

What This Change Really Means For Lawton Homes

So, if all of those were myths, what’s actually going to change for the average homeowner? Just a couple of things. Homeowners with older systems may notice HVAC maintenance prices going up a little in future years as fewer manufacturers produce the old refrigerants.

The new HVAC systems will cost a little more upfront than the old ones because they require newer technology.

Overall, the 2025 HVAC refrigerant change won’t have much effect on the average homeowner. HVAC manufacturers and HVAC service companies like Robinson Air will handle most of the details regarding the change.

If you’re a Lawton homeowner interested in switching to one of the new systems or want to talk about the future of maintenance for your old system, call us! Robinson Air is always ready to answer calls at [tel] and would be happy to get you a free estimate.